Michael Keaton Thinks the ‘Beetlejuice 2’ Ship Has Sailed

How’s this for awkward timing: just as an entire generation of moviegoers are rediscovering their love for Winona Ryder thanks to Stranger Things, her chances at reappearing in the role that made her famous may be dying on the vine. The last time we checked in on Beetlejuice 2, it was Ryder who thought the sequel might actually be happening. Now it is Michael Keaton, her costar from the original film, who seems determined to put the final nail in the coffin.

Earlier today, Keaton spoke to Variety about his upcoming slate of films and the possibility of returning as the title character in a brand new Beetlejuice movie. When asked if he had heard anything about the production of a new film, Keaton did not waste any time in shutting our hopes and dreams down.

No. Zero. You always hear things, that this is happening, and people seem to know more about it than I do … it’s possible that ship has sailed.

This comes on the heels of plenty of rumors a few years ago that a new Beetlejuice movie was definitely on its way. Whatever is causing the hold up, one thing is clear: it has very little do with Keaton’s interest in the role. The actor went on to praise the original film and make it very clear that he would rather not do it at all than do it wrong.

The only way to do it is to do it right. So much of it was improvised and so much was beautifully handmade by the artist that is Tim Burton. If you can’t get close to that, you leave it alone. There are certain movies that are like Indian burial grounds. You never ride over them. Bad s --- happens if you cross that. You don’t touch certain things. They are sacred.

With both Keaton and Ryder back in the public image in a big way, it is unlikely that we have heard the last of the Beetlejuice 2 rumors. The current trend towards resurrecting anything from the ’80s and ’80s can only help the odds at a Beetlejuice sequel being greenlit at some point; with the upcoming release of his Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, director Tim Burton has also shown that his appreciation for childlike nightmares and lovable freaks knows no limitations. Whether Keaton is right about Beetlejuice being a sacred movie, it seems like only a matter of time before someone remakes it, so we’ll choose to keep the lights on for the original cast and crew as long as possible.